Alzheimer's Research Firm Loses Major Government Grant but Receives Alternative Funding

Axon Neuroscience, a pharmaceutical company researching Alzheimer's disease treatments, has lost a government innovation grant worth nearly 15 million euros. The company, owned by debt-ridden businessman Maroš Hoffmann, was removed from controversial innovation support programs previously managed by former economy minister Richard Sulík. However, shortly after losing the major grant, Axon Neuroscience secured at least 300,000 euros from alternative innovation support schemes under current Economy Minister Denisa Saková. The company represents Hoffmann's last major business venture after multiple previous corporate failures, though it has significantly downsized compared to its past operations. The case highlights ongoing questions about the allocation of state innovation funding and the screening of grant recipients in Slovakia's economic development programs.